Pep Guardiola doesn't believe Fernandinho is an aggressive player despite the Brazil captain having been sent off in three of his last six appearances for Manchester City.

The 31-year-old has missed eight games for City this season through suspension.

His first dismissal of the campaign came against Borussia Monchengladbach in November when he received two bookings, before he was also sent off for grabbing Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas by the throat the following month and again for a two-footed lunge on Burnley's Johann Berg Gudmundsson on January 2.

Having become a father for the second time during his enforced lay-off, Fernandinho is now set to return to action as City travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Guardiola said: "He's not an aggressive player. He's a tough, intense player, like English football is.

Fernandinho was sent off against Borussia Monchengladbach last November (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The Brazilian also saw red following this altercation with Cesc Fabregas (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

This lunge on Johann Berg Gudmundsson earned Fernandinho an early bath (Image: Getty)

Guardiola, however, doesn't believe Fernandinho is an aggressive player (Image: Getty Images Europe)

"He is one of the nicest guys I've ever met and when you are one of the nicest guys off the pitch, you are on the pitch.

"What happened against Chelsea we have talked about a lot. The other action - I saw many of them here. We accept the ban, we don't complain, but he's not an aggressive guy. He's an honest guy.

"We played a lot of games without him and I am happy he's back. Of course he is important for us."